Mumbai:
12 people including one MNS corporator has been arrested after an attack on the sets of filmmaker Rohan Sippy's untitled film. The vanity van of actor John Abraham was also damaged in suburban Borivali, police said.
The film fraternity is angry over the incident and say this isn't the first time that political parties have resorted to high-handedness and hooliganism. A delegation is likely to meet Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan soon.
Activists of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) had gone on a rampage following an argument with the watchman of a company, where the shooting was underway, they said.
MNS corporator Prakash Darekar, brother of MLA Pravin Darekar, was among those arrested. "They were charged for dacoity, unlawful assembly, rioting and damaging property," said a police officer at Kasturba Marg police station.
Six others of those arrested have been identified as Ravindra More, who is MLA Pravin Darekar's driver, Pravin Kadam, Vikram Chowgale, Jayvant Jadhav, Bharat Ghanekar and Rajesh Gavde.
According to police, Mr Darekar's driver More was passing through the old premises of the Garden Wafers company, located near the Tata Power House, on his scooter yesterday afternoon, when Sanju Bhutki, the watchman and complainant, stopped him, police said.
A lane passing through the compound is frequently used as a shortcut, but Bhutki did not allow More to pass, which led to an argument, police added.
Later, Bhutki called his senior Kiran Shah, who confronted More, following which, More threatened Shah.
After some time, More, along with MNS workers barged into the company's premises, where the shooting of Rohan Sippy's film was in progress and vandalised around 15 parked vehicles. A vanity van belonging to actor John Abraham was also damaged, police said.
"The accused, armed with iron rods and stones, vandalised a total of 15 motor vehicles and a computer, leading to damages worth Rs 21.5 lakh. Besides, they also picked up a camera worth Rs 15,000 from one of the vehicles and robbed the complainant, Bhutki of his wallet containing Rs 4000 and a few documents," the officer said.
(With PTI inputs)